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Nikki Hazelgrove has warned of a growing problem of abandoned cats on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Jennifer Burton.

IN AN effort to tackle a growing problem of abandoned cats on the Island, a "Spaying Blitz" is being launched to encourage owners to get their pets neutered.

The Isle of Wight Feline Welfare group is teaming up with Pet Doctors Veterinary Hospital to offer the spaying surgery for a discounted fee of just £20 during September and October.

Nikki Hazelgrove from Feline Welfare said the situation of stray cats on the Island was dramatically out of control and that a major contributing factor was an increase of cats being bred indiscriminately to be sold online.

"When people can't sell them, they just dump them," she said.

She said the number of unowned cats was too large to be cared for and abandoned animals faced dying when left to fend for themselves.

"Neutering and spaying is the only way to stop all this suffering," she added.

The scheme aims to also accommodate people on low incomes, who can contact the group to discuss the options available to them.